Monadnock Center for History and Culture

08/28/2026

If you didn't feel like cooking on a Saturday night, you could always pick up Baked Beans and Brown Bread from the Peterborough Bakery. Peterborough Transcript, August 28, 1930.

08/26/2026

Art tour is just around the corner!

08/18/2026

Jaffrey was incorporated on August 17, 1773. A 1736 Massachusetts grant in the area, "Rowley-Canada," was invalidated in 1740 when the present border was established. The Masonian Proprietors regranted the area as "Monadnock No. 2" or "Middle Monadnock" in 1749. European settlers arrived in 1752, but none remained permanently until 1758. The town was named for George Jaffrey, a Masonian Proprietor and member of the royal governor's council.

Map: Detail from Thomas Jeffrey's "Most inhabited lands in New England.."

08/10/2026

Alstead was incorporated in August 1763. Laid out by Massachusetts as "No. 9" in 1736, the Crown established the present state border in 1740 and No. 9 was regranted by New Hampshire as "New Town" in 1752. No attempts were made the settle this grant, and so it was regranted and incorporated in 1763 as Alstead, with the first European settlers arriving soon after.
Map: Blanchard & Langdon published 1761

08/08/2026

Just one more week until Fairy House Day! See you Saturday, August 15!

08/03/2026

It is no surprise that ‘This Little Piggy’ won the People’s Choice award for the 2026 Pastel Society of NH Members Exhibition at the Monadnock Center! Congrats to the artist, Carol Corliss. pastelsocietynh Pastel Society of New Hampshire

08/01/2026

Peterborough made the list with World Atlas and a nice shout out for the Monadnock Center!

Explore charming New Hampshire towns filled with mountain views, historic sites, college culture, lakeside escapes, local shops, and year-round outdoor fun.

08/01/2026

A hearty welcome to our newest business member, Scott-Farrar at Peterborough!

07/30/2026

Just one more day to see the Pastel Society of New Hampshire Member's Exhibition! The final day is Friday, July 31- we are open 10-4. Admission is FREE

07/24/2026

Is Peterborough Our Town? Join us for tomorrow's walking tour and learn the answer! There are still tickets available.

Downtown in Our Town: A Thornton Wilder Walking Tour – Monadnock Center for History and Culture, Sat Jul 25, 2026 - See downtown Peterborough through Thornton Wilder's eyes and learn about the famed writer's relationship with 'Our Town.'